Is it possible to link cell formatting in Excel from file to file

[KimW]

I am linking data from one workbook to another - to pre-populate cells in
planning templates. I have no problems linking the data. Hoever, I would also
like to link the formatting (cell shading, font color, etc.)

Is this possible and if so, how?

[starguy]

copy your source sheet (Ctrl+A) and then go to the sheet where you have made links (destination) select cell A1 of that sheet and right click, select Paste Special and click on Formats then Ok. All formats will be copied to the destination sheet without disturbing your links.

hope this would serve your purpose.

I am linking data from one workbook to another - to pre-populate cells in
planning templates. I have no problems linking the data. Hoever, I would also
like to link the formatting (cell shading, font color, etc.)

Is this possible and if so, how?

[KimW]

Unfortunately, I want to link formats that would be changing from one
workbook to the other. The user would enter a variety of information (and
often custom formatting - esp cell shading) into one workbook (for the
overall territory) this information then populates a series of other
workbooks (for individual distribuitors in the territory).


I thought about conditional formatting, but I can't predict what will be
typed into cells or how the user will format the cells. The info goes from
one worksheet to the other with no problem, but at this point, if the user
wants fancy formatting, they will have to do it themsleves - oh, and did I
mention the worksheet is protected.

"starguy" wrote:

>
> copy your source sheet (Ctrl+A) and then go to the sheet where you have
> made links (destination) select cell A1 of that sheet and right click,
> select Paste Special and click on Formats then Ok. All formats will be
> copied to the destination sheet without disturbing your links.
>
> hope this would serve your purpose.
>
> KimW Wrote:
> > I am linking data from one workbook to another - to pre-populate cells
> > in
> > planning templates. I have no problems linking the data. Hoever, I
> > would also
> > like to link the formatting (cell shading, font color, etc.)
> >
> > Is this possible and if so, how?
>
>
> --
> starguy
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>

[Gord Dibben]

Not possible to link cell formatting.

Nearest you can get is starguy's copy formats.

Note: if you change formatting in source book, you will have to again copy
formats manually.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:17:01 -0700, KimW <[email protected]> wrote:

>I am linking data from one workbook to another - to pre-populate cells in
>planning templates. I have no problems linking the data. Hoever, I would also
>like to link the formatting (cell shading, font color, etc.)
>
>Is this possible and if so, how?

[KimW]

That's what I figured. I've re-protected the sheets, but am allowing cell
formatting - so if the user really wants that pretty format, they will have
to do it themselves (again and again and again)....

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

> Not possible to link cell formatting.
>
> Nearest you can get is starguy's copy formats.
>
> Note: if you change formatting in source book, you will have to again copy
> formats manually.
>
>
> Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP
>
> On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:17:01 -0700, KimW <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I am linking data from one workbook to another - to pre-populate cells in
> >planning templates. I have no problems linking the data. Hoever, I would also
> >like to link the formatting (cell shading, font color, etc.)
> >
> >Is this possible and if so, how?
>
>

[cupitron]

Hello,

This thread was started a while back and has not been active for years, although I have recently come across a similar problem and have found an appropriate work-around.

Excel Styles

Custom Excel styles can improve the organization of large workbooks and often force the user to categorize cells (ex: Inputs, Constants, Outputs, Headers, Boundaries, etc.)
I'll admit, the default styles are annoying to work with at the start but when you develop your own custom styles, the organization of a workbook can be significantly improved and parametrized.

1. Custom styles can be created based upon the formatting in an existing cell; and
2. When a style is modified, all cells with the respective style are also updated.

I would recommend considering the explanation and set of examples provided here:

http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/styles01.asp

Cheers,
-Dan